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Laboratory Field Trips

Boy working on science project.Laboratory Descriptions

  • One laboratory classroom will accommodate up to to 32 participants. 
  • For most laboratory field trips, two classes of up to 32 (64 total participants) can be accommodated and run concurrently.
  • One school chaperone is required to be present in each laboratory/classroom used by a school group.
  • Computer lab field trips are limited to 24 participants.

NOTE: Labs are scheduled to run between 9:30 a.m. and approximately 2:30 p.m. Times are flexible if arranged in advance.  Please detail your laboratory field trip preferences in the notes section of the online reservation form. Any changes or additions must be arranged in advance. Email or call to discuss summer programming hours and availability.

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For School Groups

  • Labs For Grades 5-12

    Mutants & Microscopes (2 to 3 hours)
    Students will:
    • Learn how mutations occur and how they may affect the growth and health of all organisms, including humans.
    • Learn how mutations are used to find genes and to determine what they do.
    • Learn about DNA structure.
    • Use a microscope to observe and compare normal and mutant varieties of plants, worms and flies.
    • Use Mendelian genetics to predict how different breeds of dogs inherit their characteristic traits.

    Pre- and Post-Visit Information and Activities for Fun With Mutants!

     Demystifying Deoxyribonucleic Acid (AKA DNA) (1 to 1.5 hours) 

    Students will:
    • Isolate DNA from strawberries, peas or themselves.
    • Take home DNA in a necklace.
    • Learn about the role of DNA and other macromolecules in making cells, tissues and organisms, and in determining traits.
    • Learn how DNA data is used in medicine, heredity, forensics and other fields, including advertising.

  • Labs For Middle and High School Students

    DNA Fingerprinting/Crime Scene (MS) (3.5 to 4 hours plus lunch break)
    Students will:
    • Take and analyze traditional fingerprint data from themselves and a crime scene.
    • Isolate their own DNA.
    • Run the DNA evidence from the crime scene and suspects on a gel, and compare the results to ensure that the right guy/girl is caught. 
    • Learn about the human genome, genetic signatures and how they are used in forensics and other applications.

    Pre- and Post-Visit Information and Activities for DNA Fingerprinting/Crime Scene (MS)

    Bacterial Transformation and GMOs (2 to 3 hours) 

    Students will:
    • Transform bacteria with a jellyfish gene and observe the bacteria glow in the dark, but only under certain conditions.
    • Learn how genes are turned on and off.
    • Learn about plasmids and how bacteria transfer genetic material.
    • Debate policies concerning the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in medical and agricultural applications.

    Pre- and Post-Visit Information and Activities for Bacterial Transformation and GMOs

  • Labs for High School Students

    DNA Fingerprinting/Crime Scene (HS) (3.5 to 4 hours plus lunch break)
    Students will:
    • Isolate their own DNA.
    • Set up a restriction digest of DNA from a “crime scene.”
    • Run DNA samples from crime scene and suspects on a gel and compare the results to ensure that the right guy/girl is caught. Upon advance request, AP students may use PCR analysis in place of restriction digests to analyze their DNA.
    • Learn about the human genome, genetic signatures, and how they are used in forensics and other application.

    Pre- and Post-Visit Information and Activities for DNA Fingerprinting/Crime Scene (HS)

    Mapping Plasmids Using Restriction Enzymes (3.5 hours + lunch break) 

    Students will:
    • Learn the origins and uses of restriction endonucleases (enzymes).
    • Set up restriction digests.
    • Run digested DNA fragments on agarose gels.
    • Analyze the data and use it to make and/or verify a plasmid map.

    Your DNA and Traits (5 to 6 hours plus lunch break) This lab involves many techniques and reagents resulting in additional fees of 1.5x the normal rate.

    Students will:
    • Isolate their own DNA and analyze it for a polymorphism linked to the ability to taste bitterness using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), restriction enzyme digestion and gel electrophoresis.
    • Take the taste test to determine if they are “tasters.”
    • Learn how DNA polymorphisms cause healthy variations and/or predisposition to diseases.
    • Discuss the human genome project.

     

For Community Groups

  • Science On Tap

    A casual forum where people come to learn about and discuss recent discoveries in science and technology while having fun. An expert gives an informal talk for 20-30 minutes, followed by Q&A and discussion. Attendees can get up, eat or refresh their beverages at any time. Science on tap is FREE and open to all ages! No reservation required.

    WHEN
    Plan to join us at our next gathering. See schedule of speakers below.
    Clemson: On the 2nd Thursday of each month, 6:30-7:45pm
    Greenville: On the last Tuesday of each month, 6:30 -7:45 p.m. 

    WHERE
    Clemson: Viva Wine Bar, 168 Exchange St, Pendleton, SC 29670 (new location as of January 2018)
    Greenville: Coffee Underground, 1 East Coffee St., Greenville SC 29601

    A complete schedule of upcoming topics, dates and contact information may be found on the Science on Tap website.

  • Laboratory Field Trips

    NOTE: Labs are scheduled to run between 9:30 a.m. and approximately 2:30 p.m. Times are flexible if arranged in advance. Some labs can be combined or amended to fit your scheduling needs. Please detail your laboratory field trip preferences in the notes section of the online reservation form. Any changes or additions must be arranged in advance. $300 per laboratory (up to 32 participants)

    Mutants & Microscopes (1 - 1.5 hours)
    Participants will:
    • Learn how mutations occur and how they may affect the growth and health of all organisms, including humans.
    • Learn how mutations are used to find genes and to determine what they do.
    • Learn about DNA structure.
    • Use a microscope to observe and compare normal and mutant varieties of plants, worms and flies.
    • Use Mendelian genetics to predict how different breeds of dogs inherit their characteristic traits.

    Demystifying Deoxyribonucleic Acid (AKA DNA) (1-1.5 hours)
    Participants will:
    • Isolate DNA from strawberries, peas or themselves.
    • Take home DNA in a necklace.
    • Learn about the role of DNA and other macromolecules in making cells, tissues and organisms and in determining traits.
    • Learn how DNA data is used in medicine, heredity, forensics and other fields — including advertising.

    DNA Fingerprinting/Crime Scene (3.5 to 4 hours plus lunch break)
    Participants will:
    • Take and analyze traditional fingerprint data from themselves and crime scene.
    • Isolate their own DNA.
    • Run the DNA evidence from crime scene and suspects on a gel and compare the results to ensure that the right guy/gal is caught. 
    • Learn about the human genome, genetic signatures, and how they are used in forensics and other application.

    Bacterial Transformation and GMOs (2 to 3 hours)
    Participants will: 
    • Transform bacteria with a jellyfish gene and observe the bacteria glow in the dark, but only under certain conditions. 
    • Learn how genes are turned on and off. 
    • Learn about plasmids and how bacteria transfer genetic material. 
    • “Advise” the CDC and USDA on policies concerning the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in medical and agricultural applications.

    Mapping Plasmids Using Restriction Enzymes (3.5 hours+ lunch break)
    Participants will: 
    • Learn the origins and uses of restriction endonucleases (enzymes). 
    • Set up restriction digests.
    • Run digested DNA fragments on agarose gels. 
    • Analyze the data and use it to make and/or verify a plasmid map.

Reservation Procedures and Logistics 

  • Check Calendar for Availability - Fees - Submit Online Reservation Form - Pay Online

    To reserve a field trip, choose a laboratory, select an open date from our CALENDAR and submit a Reservation Request form. Contact Ginger Foulk at 864-656-4224 with any questions about reservations.

    After submitting a reservation request, you will receive an official confirmation email within a few days issuing a  payment deadline, a detailed Logistics Letter (contains all you need to know to finish planning your trip!) and a Parent Consent/Release of Liability form to copy for each student. Review the Life Sciences Outreach Center Safety Guidelines with your students in advance (includes dress code requirements!).

    Do not pay anything until you have received an official email confirmation of your reservation from Ginger Foulk.  Online payment with a credit card is the preferred method of payment and is due in full three weeks prior to the date of your laboratory field trip. 

    Fees are nonrefundable.  If a schedule conflict arises, laboratory field trip reservations may be rescheduled within the same academic session with 2 weeks advance notice.   The Center will reschedule with less notice if school is cancelled due to weather or a similar unforeseen circumstance.  If Clemson University is closed due to weather, the Life Sciences Outreach Center will not open and we will reschedule your laboratory field trip.  Contact Katherine Freeman on her cell, 864-553-0129, to confirm weather conditions/lab hours on the morning of your trip if you have any questions. 

    So that we may properly plan and prepare for your laboratory, ANY changes to the number of students confirmed in your original reservation should be submitted two weeks prior to your trip.

    Fees are as follows for one laboratory experience*:

    • One laboratory field trip (up to 16 participants) — $200
    • One laboratory field trip (17-32 participants) — $300
    • Two concurrent laboratory field trips (33-48 participants) — $500
    • Two concurrent laboratory field trips (49-64 participants) — $600

    *Your DNA and Traits lab involves many techniques and reagents resulting in additional fees of 1.5x the normal rate.

    Once you have received a reservation confirmation and a deposit payment deadline, return here to make a secure, online payment (orange button below). Do NOT pay unless your reservation has been confirmed and you have a payment due date.

    Pay Online Now

    Checks, though not preferred, will be accepted for a limited time if absolutely necessary. Make checks payable to Clemson University and mail to: Ginger Foulk, Life Sciences Outreach Center, Department of Biological Sciences, 132 Long Hall, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0314. Include with the check the name of the coordinating teacher, school and date of the reservation.

  • Directions and Maps

    All labs meet in the Life Sciences Outreach Center on the campus of Clemson University in Clemson, S.C. The Life Sciences Outreach Center is located in Jordan Hall, rooms G26-G28.

  • Parent Permission Form, Redfern Health Center Form, and Safety Guidelines (dress code!) 

    Please bring a signed Parental Consent/Release of Liability permission form for each student to Clemson on the day of your field trip, students without a signed form may not attend. Note that the form is front and back.

    If you want to have the option to have ill/injured students treated at the campus health center (Redfern) during your field trip, bring a completed Redfern Health Center form along with a copy of the private insurance card for each student.

    Safety Guidelines - review these before you arrive and make note of the dress code (long pants and closed toe shoes required to participate; long hair must be tied back)